Illegal structures on Dhaka-Ctg Highway removed

CHITTAGONG, Oct 24: The district police have evicted most of the illegal occupations on both sides of the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway, from Chittagong City Gate to Baro Daroga Hat.

The 45-km section of the highway was almost cleared on Thursday, as the police ultimatum to remove illegal structures and shops selling items of scrap-ships etc expired on the previous day.

About 250 illegal structures on the highway in Sitakunda and Mirsarai sections were demolished in the daylong drive, an official in the district police said.

Two platoon police took part in the drive, led by executive magistrate and assistant commissioner (land) Mahbub Alam. Officials of Roads and

Highways Department (RHD) were also present.

The police also conducted eviction on the Chittagong-Hathazari Road on Friday, and the drive will be launched in the city on Saturday.

The official said a section of scrap-ship traders were illegally occupying different parts of the highway. Those illegal spare-parts shops often caused traffic congestion on the highway by narrowing it, whereas the government is expanding it by spending billions of Taka.

Bus passengers allege that 6-hour trip between Dhaka and Chittagong now takes 10-11 hours due to the gridlock.

Police Super AKM Hafiz Akhtar said the roads have been constructed for plying vehicles, and there is no scope of continuing illegal trading on these. "No one will be allowed to do this any more. We will also monitor regularly, so that they cannot re-occupy the roads," he added.

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